During this column’s hiatus, I discovered a few things about my old (boy)friend, the konbini [コンビニ].

Earlier this year a local reader emailed GetHiroshima to ask if she could interview me about konbini for her own blog and website. She had read my column each week and seen my interview on the first episode of Deep Hiroshima Salon. I had a blast talking to her and was even more thrilled when she told me that there is a magazine out there that is COMPLETELY and UTTERLY dedicated to konbini.

Seriously.

I’m not joking.

I don’t understand how I could NOT have known about this.

It’s called Konbini Gekkan [コンビニ月刊] which literally means ‘Convenience Store Monthly.’ It’s not exactly an original title for a magazine, but hey, it is what it is. Literally.

The magazine is specifically for those people who are interested in having their own konbini franchise, but of course, anyone can buy it and read it. I was so excited and couldn’t stop grinning about the fact that there are other weirdos out there who have a konbini obsession like me. I felt a bit like Harry Potter when he realises that there are other magical people and a whole new wizarding world to discover. Konbini is my Hogwarts.

The second thing I discovered, which has been remedied (somewhat), is ‘The Case of the Missing Anpan’. Yes, anpan [あんパン], that tasty, soft, pillowy-cushion of goodness that is sweet red bean paste encased in a bun.

In fact, it was the first time I ever felt truly let down by konbini. As you all know, I’ve been in love with konbini for years and have always had a thing for my loyal and constant companion, Mr. 7-Eleven. Imagine, to my utter shock when I discovered that he had stuffed up BIG TIME. It was a horrible feeling. I felt betrayed.

For some reason, 7-Eleven decided to take their anpan off the shelves.

Yes. I kid you not. I would not joke about something so serious.

It was not exactly the smartest business move that 7-Eleven has ever made. It’s one of their most popular products and of all the people I know, we all agree that it is THE anpan of all the konbini.

I didn’t understand how something that was already so delicious, so perfect, could be made any better. I mean, why fix something when it’s not broken?

I wanted answers.

So, I did what any normal and sane (in my mind; konbini otaku you understand!) konbini and anpan-loving person would do. I went to the source and asked.

By that, I mean I marched down to one of my local 7-Elevens and demanded to know where the anpan was and why it had disappeared.

Jade Brischke

Jade first visited Hiroshima with a group of her students from Australia and after falling in love with the city, vowed that one day she would return to live and work. It seems dreams really do come true!
When she's not writing she's out and about with her camera, walking and exploring the streets or some may say, wandering aimlessly. She, however, doesn't believe any wandering is aimless.
Jade blogs regularly at jackcrispy.com.

About Us

Joy and Paul Walsh started GetHiroshima in 1999 with the aim of creating an online English language resource to help people enjoy their time in this amazing city to the full. The mission remains the same and, whether you are here for a day or a decade, we hope that GetHiroshima helps you dig that little bit deeper, and get you a little bit closer to the heart of Hiroshima.